Motor Mounting Assembly And Method Of Manufacture

ABSTRACT

A motor mounting assembly and associated motor mounting fixture. The motor mounting fixture includes a fixture body, a motor fastener, and a coupling member. The fixture body has a fixture base and first and second spaced apart legs extending distally from the fixture base, a first aperture through the first leg and a second aperture through the second leg. The motor fastener projects proximally from the fixture base, and is received in the at least one elongate slot. The coupling member extends through at least the first aperture of the first leg and is fixed to at least one of the first and second legs. The coupling member has a through bore that includes screw threads that are threadably engageable with the adjusting rod such that the fixture body moves along the elongate slot of the motor base when the adjusting rod is rotated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part and claims the priority ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/972,343, filed on Aug. 21, 2013, thedisclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a motor mounting assembly forsupporting a motor and, more particularly, to a motor mounting assemblyfor adjusting a position of a motor.

BACKGROUND

Motors, such as electric motors, are widely used for driving fans,conveyors, tools, and other mechanical devices. Generally, motorsgenerate mechanical power at a rotatable output shaft that transmitsthrough at least one mechanical coupling and ultimately to amechanically driven device. For example, one end of a belt, or similarcoupling, may be wrapped about a drive pulley on the output shaft andanother end of the belt may be wrapped about a driven pulley operativelyconnected to a fan or another device. In turn, the belt effectively andefficiently transfers torque from the drive pulley to the driven pulley.Of course, any number of motors, mechanical couplings, and mechanicaldevices may be operatively connected in a mechanical system forproducing simple to relatively complex machines, such as those used inindustrial applications.

Proper positioning of the motor relative to the remainder of themechanical system is important to ensure that power is transmittedthrough the mechanical coupling smoothly, consistently, and withoutcreating unnecessary damage to the mechanical system. For example, evensmall changes in distance or alignment between the drive pulley and thedriven pulley may cause power transmission to significantly fluctuate orgenerate mechanical wear that also reduces efficiency of the overallmechanical system. In industrial settings often requiring high poweroutputs, this damage and reduced efficiency can equate to significantfinancial loss.

For this reason, a motor may be mounted to a motor mounting assemblyhaving one or more adjustable fixtures that provide for simpleadjustments to the position and alignment of the motor. However,conventional adjustable fixtures require relatively expensive castingsto accommodate various threaded fasteners that engage the adjustablefixture. Similarly, the geometry of known adjustable fixtures thataccommodates these threaded fasteners tends to reduce an amount ofthread engagement along the fixture that, in turn, reduces the amount offorce that can safely transmit through the fixture. Thus, adjusting theposition of the motor, particularly in higher power industrial settings,may be more difficult, if not impossible, without damaging theadjustable fixture and increasing the likelihood of reduced efficiencyand damage to the mechanical system.

There is a need for a motor mounting assembly for supporting a motorthat addresses present challenges and characteristics such as thosediscussed above.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a motor mounting assembly and anassociated motor mounting fixture. While the invention will be describedin connection with certain embodiments, it will be understood that theinvention is not limited to these embodiments. On the contrary, theinvention includes all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents asmay be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a motor mounting assembly formounting a motor includes a motor base and a motor mounting fixture. Themotor base includes at least one elongate slot and at least one threadedadjusting rod extending proximate the slot for adjusting a position ofthe motor on the motor base. The motor mounting fixture cooperates withthe slot for securing the motor to the motor base. In addition, themotor mounting fixture includes a fixture body with a fixture base andfirst and second oppositely disposed legs. The first and second legsextend distally from the fixture base. First and second apertures extendthrough the first and second legs respectively, and a motor fastenerprojects proximally from the fixture base. The motor fastener isreceived in the slot for securing the motor to the motor base. Acoupling member is joined to the fixture body and disposed between thefirst and second legs. The coupling member also includes a through borealigned with the first and second apertures. At least one of the firstaperture, the second aperture, or the bore includes screw threads thatthreadably engage the adjusting rod such that the motor fastener movesalong the elongate slot when the adjusting rod is rotated.

In another aspect, a motor mounting fixture is used with a motor basehaving a rotatable fastener for adjusting a position of a motor along anelongate slot. The motor mounting fixture has a fixture body and acoupling member. The fixture body includes a fixture base and first andsecond oppositely disposed legs projecting distally from the fixturebase. First and second apertures extend through the first and secondlegs, respectively, and a motor fastener projects proximally from thefixture base. The coupling member is disposed between the first andsecond legs and has a through bore axially aligned with the first andsecond apertures. The motor mounting fixture includes screw threads inat least one of the first aperture, the second aperture, or the bore.

In yet another aspect, a method of manufacturing a motor mountingfixture includes fabricating a fixture body with a fixture base andfirst and second oppositely disposed legs that project distally from thefixture base. A first aperture is formed in the first leg and a secondaperture is formed in the second leg such that the first and secondapertures are axially aligned. The method includes coupling a motorfastener to the fixture base to extend proximally from the base forconnecting a motor. A coupling member is joined between the first andsecond legs such that a through bore of the coupling member is alignedwith the first and second apertures. A screw thread is formed within atleast one of the first aperture, the second aperture, or the throughbore. The screw thread is configured to engage an adjusting rod formoving the motor fastener within a slot of the motor base.

In another exemplary embodiment, a motor mounting assembly includes amotor base for supporting a motor thereon and a motor mounting fixture.The motor base includes at least one elongate slot and at least onethreaded adjusting rod extending proximate the at least one elongateslot for adjusting a position of the motor thereon. The motor mountingfixture cooperates with the at least one elongate slot for securing themotor to the motor base. The motor mounting fixture includes a fixturebody, a motor fastener, and a coupling member. The fixture body has afixture base and first and second spaced apart legs extending distallyfrom the fixture base, a first aperture through the first leg and asecond aperture through the second leg. The motor fastener projectsproximally from the fixture base, and is received in the at least oneelongate slot for securing the motor to the motor base. The couplingmember extends through at least the first aperture of the first leg andis fixed to at least one of the first and second legs. The couplingmember has a through bore that includes screw threads that arethreadably engageable with the adjusting rod such that the fixture bodymoves along the elongate slot of the motor base when the adjusting rodis rotated.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a motor mounting fixture isdescribed for use with a motor base having a rotatable fastener foradjusting a position of a motor along an elongate slot. The motormounting fixture includes a fixture body, a motor fastener, and acoupling member. The fixture body has a fixture base and first andsecond spaced apart legs, the first and second legs projecting distallyfrom the fixture base. The fixture body is configured to move along theelongate slot. A first aperture extends through the first leg and asecond aperture extends through the second leg. The motor fastenerprojects proximally from the fixture base and is configured to engagethe elongate slot when coupled with the motor base such that the fixturebody slidingly moves along the elongate slot. The coupling memberextends at least through the first aperture of the first leg and isfixed to at least one of the first and second legs. The coupling memberhas a through bore that includes screw threads.

According to another aspect, a method of manufacturing a motor mountingfixture for use with a motor base is described. The motor base includesa threaded adjusting rod for moving the motor mounting fixture relativeto the motor base. The method also includes fabricating a fixture bodyhaving a fixture base and first and second oppositely disposed legs, thefirst and second legs projecting distally from the fixture base. Themethod also includes forming a first aperture in the first leg and asecond aperture in the second leg. The method also includes inserting aportion of a motor fastener through the fixture base. The motor fastenerextends proximally from the fixture base for connecting to a motor. Themethod also includes forming a screw thread in a through bore of acoupling member having first and second end portions. The screw threadis configured to engage the adjusting rod for moving the motor fastenerwithin a slot of the motor base. The method also includes inserting oneof the first and second end portions of the coupling member through thefirst aperture of the first leg such that the through bore of thecoupling member is aligned with the first and second apertures. Themethod also includes fixing the coupling member with at least one of thefirst and second legs.

Various additional objectives, advantages, and features of the inventionwill be appreciated from a review of the following detailed descriptionof the illustrative embodiments taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, andtogether with a general description of the invention given above and thedetailed description given below serve to explain the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary motor mountingassembly, with a motor shown in phantom lines.

FIG. 2 is a broken front perspective view of the motor mounting assemblyof FIG. 1, including an motor mounting fixture according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the motor mounting fixture of FIG.2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the motor mounting fixture of FIG. 3taken along line 4-4.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the motor mounting fixture of FIG.3.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the motor mounting fixture of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the motor mounting fixture of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the motor mounting fixture of FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a motor mounting fixture accordingto another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the motor mounting fixture of FIG.9 taken along line 10-10.

FIG. 11 is a rear elevation view of the motor mounting fixture of FIG.9.

FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of the motor mounting fixture of FIG.9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1-2, an exemplary embodiment of a motor mountingassembly 10 includes a motor base 12, an elongated member 14, and a pairof motor mounting fixtures 16 for mounting a motor 18, such as anelectric motor, securely to a floor, platform, or other fixed base (notshown). Each of the motor mounting fixtures 16 includes a motor fastener20, and the elongated member 14 includes two opposing motor fasteners20. The motor fasteners 20 are offset from each other and projectproximally from the motor base 12 to engage the motor 18. The elongatedmember 14 and the pair of motor mounting fixtures 16 are eachlongitudinally adjustable along a length of the motor base 12.Accordingly, the motor mounting assembly 10 enables longitudinalpositioning of the motor 18 relative to the motor base 12 and/oraccommodating other motors of various size or shape. As describedherein, it will be appreciated that the terms “longitudinal,”“transverse,” “distal,” and “proximal” are intended to describe relativelocations or directions along exemplary embodiments of the motormounting assembly 10. It is not intended that the terms “longitudinal,”“transverse,” “distal,” and “proximal” limit the invention to anyexemplary embodiment described herein.

The motor base 12 includes a pair of opposing flanges 22 and first andsecond opposing brackets 24, 26 extending between the flanges 22. Theflanges 22 extend generally parallel to each other, whereas the firstand second brackets 24 are generally transverse to the flanges 22. Inthis respect, the flanges 22 rigidly connect to the first and secondbrackets 24 to form a generally rigid rectangular motor base 12.According to an exemplary embodiment, the flanges 22 are welded to thefirst and second brackets 24, 26 to form the generally rectangular motorbase 12; however, it will be appreciated that the motor base 12 may alsobe rigidly connected via bolts, nuts, or other fastener components.Similarly, it will be further appreciated that the motor base 12 may begenerally any shape or size for accommodating a variety of motors, andthe generally rectangular shape or size of the motor base 12 is notintended to limit the invention described herein.

Each flange 22 is stepped to include a bottom portion 28 and a platformportion 30. The bottom portion 28 is generally planar and has aplurality of through holes 32 respectively receiving a plurality offastener components (not shown) for anchoring the flange 22 to the fixedbase, such as the floor. The platform portion 30 is also generallyplanar and supports the motor 18. According to an exemplary embodiment,each platform portion 30 includes a first elongated slot 34 offset andlongitudinally aligned with a second elongated slot 36. As such, thefirst and second slots 34, 36 on one of the pair of flanges 22 aregenerally parallel with the other first and second slots 34, 36,respectively.

The elongated member 14 extends generally transversely between theflanges 22 and generally parallel to the adjacent second bracket 26. Theelongated member 14 has two holes (not shown) that each receive one ofthe motor fasteners 20. The majority of the elongated member 14 ispositioned distally from the platform portion 30 with only the motorfasteners 20 projecting proximally through the second slots 36. Afastener nut 38 may be removed from each of the motor fasteners 20 sothat the motor 18 may be positioned on the motor fasteners 20 andagainst the platform portion 30. Once the motor 18 is positioned on themotor fasteners 20, each of the fastener nuts 38 may be hand tightenedto loosely secure the motor 18 to the platform portion 30. The positionof the loosely secured motor 18 may be adjusted via the longitudinallyadjustable motor mounting fixtures 16 while the elongated member 14simultaneously follows the longitudinal movement of the motor 18.Finally, the motor 18 may be rigidly secured against the platformportion 30 with further tightening of the fastener nuts 38. Of course,the fastener nuts 38 may be loosened at any time in order to adjust theposition of the motor 18.

With respect to FIG. 2, the majority of each motor mounting fixture 16is also positioned distally from the platform portion 30 with only themotor fasteners 20 projecting proximally through the first slots 34. Incontrast with the elongated member 14, each motor mounting fixture 16provides for individual longitudinal adjustment of the included motorfastener 20. According to an exemplary embodiment, a pair of adjustingrods 40 extends through the first bracket 24 and toward the secondbracket 26. According to an exemplary embodiment, the adjusting rod 40is a rotatable fastener, such as a capscrew. One of the adjusting rods40 longitudinally aligns with one of the first slots 34, while anotherof the adjusting rods 40 longitudinally aligns with the other first slot34. Each of the adjusting rods 40 is configured to rotate and includesouter screw threads 42 that rotatably engage one of the motor mountingfixtures 16. Accordingly, the motor mounting fixtures 16 are positionedon the adjusting rods 40 and may move, via rotation of the adjusting rod40, along the first slots 34 when the fastener nuts 38 are loosened. Ofcourse, like the elongated member 14, the fastener nuts 38 may betightened onto each of the motor fasteners 20 and against the platformportion 30 to secure each of the motor mounting fixtures 16 in a fixedposition relative to the motor base 12.

FIGS. 3-8 show an exemplary embodiment of the motor mounting fixture 16.The motor mounting fixture 16 includes a fixture body 44 and a couplingmember 46. The fixture body 44 includes a base 48 and a first leg 50oppositely disposed from a second leg 52. In the embodiment shown, thefirst and second legs 50, 52 project distally from the base 48 andgenerally define a U-shape. In addition, the first and second legs 50,52 include first and second apertures 54, 56 extending through each leg50, 52, respectively. Notably, the first and second apertures 54, 56 arepositioned opposite from each other and in relative axial alignment.

The coupling member 46 is disposed between the first and second legs 50,52 and includes a through bore 58 longitudinally extending therethrough.The coupling member 46 is sized to provide a space 59 adjacent to eachleg 50, 52 for receiving a weld 60 or, in the alternative, the first andsecond legs 50, 52 may sandwich the coupling member 46 therebetweenwithout the space 59. In one embodiment, the coupling member 46 may begreater than 1 inch in length and, more particularly, may be greaterthan 2 inches in length. In another exemplary embodiment, the couplingmember 46 may be approximately 2 inches in length. The coupling member46 is rigidly connected to both the first and second legs 50, 52 withthe welds 60 as shown in an exemplary embodiment. However, it will beappreciated that the coupling member 46 may also be rigidly connectedwith other fastener components and, as such, the invention is notintended to be limited the exemplary embodiments described herein.

Furthermore, the coupling member 46 is positioned relative to thefixture body 44 such that the through bore 58 axially aligns with thefirst and second apertures 54, 56. The coupling member 46 includesinternal screw threads 62 within the through bore 58 configured toengage the outer screw threads 42 of the adjusting rod 40 (see FIG. 2)extending therethrough. In the embodiment shown, the first and secondapertures 54, 56 do not include screw threads; however, it will beappreciated that screw threads may be included within the first andsecond apertures 54, 56 of alternative embodiments. According to anexemplary embodiment, the coupling member 46 is formed from a hexagonalbar stock. Alternatively, the coupling member 46 may be formed from acylindrical bar stock, a rectangular bar stock, or any other shape orsize elongate structural member sized to extend between the first andsecond legs 50, 52.

The base 48 further includes a third aperture 64 that receives the motorfastener 20. According to an exemplary embodiment, the third aperture 64extends through the base 48 and is positioned proximally from thecoupling member 46 along the transverse direction of the base 48.However, the third aperture 64 is generally closer to the first leg 50than the second leg 52 and, as such, is generally off center along thelongitudinal direction of the base 48. The off center position of thethird aperture 64 provides for full longitudinal movement of the motormounting fixture 16 along the first slot 34 (see FIGS. 1-2) byaccommodating for the length of the coupling member 46. In theembodiment shown, the third aperture 64 includes at least one inner,non-circular portion 66 cooperating with the motor fastener 20 toinhibit rotation of the motor fastener 20 therein.

In this respect, the motor fastener 20 includes a head 68 and a boltshank 70 projecting from the head 68. The shank 70 includes at least oneouter non-circular portion 71 that engages with the inner non-circularportion 66 of the third aperture 64 that inhibits relative rotation, butprovides for the shank 70 to otherwise move proximally and/or distallywithin the third aperture 64. According to an exemplary embodiment, themotor fastener 20 within the third aperture 64 is a carriage bolt andthe outer non-circular portion 66 is generally square with four flatportions. Similarly, the inner non-circular portion 71 is also generallysquare with four flat portions that are sized to engage the four flatportions of the motor fastener 20 to inhibit rotation. It will beappreciated, however, that non-circular portions 66, 71 may have variousother shapes configured to inhibit rotation of fastener 20 in the thirdaperture 64. Alternatively, the motor fastener 20 may be a hex bolt orother mechanical fastener affixed to the motor mounting fixture 16.

While the third aperture 64 may allow proximal and/or distal movement ofthe motor fastener 20, the head 68 is captured within a gap 72 definedby the coupling member 46 and the base 48. Specifically, the shank 70 islonger than the gap 72 such that, when the motor fastener 20 ispartially withdrawn from the third aperture 64, the head 68 abuts thecoupling member 46 before the shank 70 can be fully withdrawn from thethird aperture 64. In this sense, the coupling member 46 captures thehead 68 within the gap 72 and the shank 70 within the third aperture 64.Alternatively, the base 48 may not include the third aperture 64cooperating with the motor fastener 20 to inhibit rotation therebetween.Rather, the motor fastener 20 may be welded, brazed, or otherwiseaffixed to the motor mounting fixture 16 in such a way as to projectproximally from the base 48 as described herein.

In an exemplary embodiment, the motor mounting fixture 16 may bemanufactured by fabricating the fixture body 44 from a planar unitaryplate. For example, the fixture body 44 may be formed using aprogressive die stamping process as well as other suitable manufacturingmethods. A first end portion of the plate may be bent along a firstbending axis to form the first leg 50. An opposing second end portion ofthe plate may be bent along a second bending axis to form the second leg52, and, in turn, define the fixture base 48 therebetween. The first andsecond legs 50, 52 may be bent until each projects distally from thefixture base 48 at generally a right angle.

The first and second apertures 54, 56 may be formed by drilling,punching, laser cutting, or any other known process for manufacturing ahole. Accordingly the first aperture 54 is formed in the first leg 50and the second aperture 56 is formed in the second leg 52. Moreparticularly, the first and second apertures 54, 56 are formed in axialalignment with each other.

For securing the motor 18 as shown in FIG. 1, the motor fastener 20 iscoupled to the fixture base 48. Specifically, the third aperture 64 isformed in the fixture base 48 and receives the selected motor fastener20, such as the carriage bolt. The shank 70 is inserted into the thirdaperture 64 and projects proximally from the fixture base 48.

The coupling member 46 may be formed by sizing and cutting bar stock, orother elongate structural member, to fit between the first and secondlegs 54, 56. The through bore 58 and internal screw thread 62 may bedrilled and tapped longitudinally through the coupling member 46. Afterthe shank 70 is inserted into the third aperture 64, the coupling member46 may then be joined to the fixture body 44 to capture the head 68 ofthe motor fastener 20 in the gap 72. In the embodiment shown, thecoupling member 46 is welded to the first and second legs 50, 52 of thefixture body 44. It will be appreciated, however, that various othermethods for joining the coupling member 46 to fixture body 44 mayalternatively be used.

Finally, the motor fastener 20 is positioned through the first or secondelongate slot 34, 36 of a motor base 12 as described above. Theadjusting rod 40 is rotated to threadably engage the internal screwthreads 62 and adjust the longitudinal position of the motor mountingfixture 16 relative to the first or second slots 34, 36. The motor 18 isfastened to each motor fastener 20 for securing the motor 18 to themotor base 12 with the motor nuts 38 as described above.

FIGS. 9-12 show another exemplary embodiment of a motor mounting fixture116 for use with the motor mounting assembly 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and2. As previously discussed, the motor mounting assembly 10 includes amotor base 12 having a rotatable adjusting rod 40 for adjusting aposition of a motor 18 along an elongate slot 34. Similar to motormounting fixture 16, the motor mounting fixture 116 shown in FIGS. 9-10includes a fixture body 144, a motor fastener 120, and a coupling member146. The fixture body 144 has a fixture base 148 and first and secondspaced apart legs 150, 152 that extend distally from the fixture base148. A first aperture 154 extends through the first leg 150 and a secondaperture 156 extends through the second leg 152. As shown, the first andsecond apertures 154, 156 may be co-axially aligned.

With continued reference to FIGS. 9-10, the coupling member 146 extendsat least through the first aperture 154 of the first leg 150 and isfixed to at least one of the first and second legs 150, 152. Thecoupling member 146 has a through bore 158 that includes screw threads162 that are threadably engageable with the adjusting rod 40 such thatthe fixture body 144 moves along the elongate slot 34 of the motor base12 when the adjusting rod 40 is rotated. While not shown, the secondaperture may include screw threads that are threadably engageable withthe adjusting rod 40.

The coupling member 146 includes first and second end portions 174, 176.The first end portion 174 extends outside of the first leg 150 and thesecond end portion 176 abuts the second leg 152. The first end portion174 of the coupling member 146 may be rigidly joined to an outer surface178 of the first leg 150 using at least one weld 160 and the second endportion 176 of the coupling member 146 may be rigidly joined to an innersurface 180 of the second leg 152 using at least one weld 160. More orfewer welds 160 as well as other attachment methods are also envisioned.For example, according to an embodiment, only the first end portion 174of the coupling member 146 is rigidly joined to an outer surface 178 ofthe first leg 150 using at least one weld 160, and according to anotherexemplary embodiment, only the second end portion 176 of the couplingmember 146 is rigidly joined to an inner surface 180 of the second leg152 using at least one weld 160. Alternatively, or in addition to thewelds 160 described above, the inner surface of the first leg 150 may befixed to the coupling member 146.

The coupling member 146 is offset from the fixture base 148 to define agap 172 therebetween and the head 168 of the motor fastener 120 iscaptured within the gap 172 between the coupling member 146 and thefixture base 148. In one embodiment, the coupling member 46 may begreater than 1 inch in length and, more particularly, may be greaterthan 2 inches in length. As shown in FIG. 10, the coupling member 146may be formed as a single unitary component that extends completelythrough the first aperture 154 of the first leg 150. However, personsskilled in the art would appreciate that the coupling member 146 may beformed of multiple components coupled together, if desired.

As shown in FIGS. 9-10, the motor mounting fixture 116 also includes athird aperture 164 in the fixture base 148. A motor fastener 120projects proximally from the fixture base 148 and is configured toengage the elongate slot 34 when coupled with the motor base 12 suchthat the fixture body slidingly moves along the elongate slot 34. Themotor fastener 120 includes a head 168 and a bolt shank 170 including atleast one outer non-circular portion 171 that engages with the innernon-circular portion 166 of the third aperture 164 that inhibitsrelative rotation. In the embodiment shown, the third aperture 164includes at least one inner, non-circular portion 166 cooperating withthe motor fastener 120 to inhibit rotation of the motor fastener 120therein.

FIG. 11 shows a rear elevation view of the motor mounting fixture 116,where the first aperture 154 and the coupling member 146 havecomplementary shapes, thereby preventing relative rotation between thefirst aperture 154 and the coupling member 146. More specifically, asshown in FIG. 11, the first aperture 154 and the coupling member 146have hexagonal complementary shapes to prevent relative rotation betweenthe first aperture 154 and the coupling member 146. However, the firstaperture 154 may be another shape, e.g. rectangular etc., which wouldstill prevent relative rotation between the first aperture 154 and thecoupling member 146. Additionally, persons skilled in the art wouldappreciate that the size and shape of the first aperture 154 may vary.

FIG. 12 shows a front elevation view of the motor mounting fixture 116,where the second aperture 156 having a circular shape. Persons skilledin the art would appreciate that the size and shape of the secondaperture 156 may vary. According to an embodiment, the first aperture154 has a first area A1 (shown in FIG. 11) and the second aperture 156has a second area A2 (shown in FIG. 12) that is smaller than the firstarea A1 to prevent the coupling member 146 from passing through thesecond aperture 156.

Many benefits are achieved by having the second end portion 176 of thecoupling member 146 extending through the first leg 150. First, thisconfiguration allows for a robotic welder to more easily produce themotor mounting fixture 116. Robotic welding is more efficient thantraditional welding operations, because robotic welding apparatusesprecisely and accurately produce high-quality welds resulting in lessrework. Robotic welding also reduces labor costs as compared totraditional welding operations. Having the second end portion 176 of thecoupling member 146 extending through the first leg 150 also allows forhorizontal welding without re-fixturing the motor mounting fixture 116in contrast to either vertical welding or re-fixturing to horizontallyweld the motor mounting fixture 116.

Additionally, the coupling member 146 cannot be independently rotatedsince the coupling member 146 is trapped in the first aperture 154(shown as a hexagonally shaped aperture in FIG. 11). Since the fixturebody 144 has some variability due to manufacturing tolerances in thespacing between the first and second legs 150, 152, being able to insertthe second end portion 176 of the coupling member 146 through the firstleg 150 and directly pressing it against the inner surface 180 of thesecond leg 152 improves the characteristics of the welds 160.Additionally, inserting the second end portion 176 of the couplingmember 146 through the first leg 150 eliminates any gap between thecoupling member 146 and the first and second legs 150, 152.Additionally, since the internal distance between the first and secondlegs 150, 152 is reduced, the amount of steel required to construct thefixture body 144 is also reduced. This results in a stronger motormounting fixture 116 because the distance between the first and secondlegs 150, 152 is reduced as compared to motor mounting fixture 16.

According to another aspect, a method of manufacturing a motor mountingfixture 116 for use with a motor base 12 is also described. The motorbase 12 includes a threaded adjusting rod 40 for moving the motormounting fixture 116 relative to the motor base 12. The method alsoincludes fabricating a fixture body 144 having a fixture base 148 andfirst and second oppositely disposed legs 150, 152. The first and secondlegs 150, 152 project distally from the fixture base 148. As shown, thefixture base 148 and the first and second legs 150, 152 of the fixturebody 144 generally define a U-shape.

The method also includes forming a first aperture 154 in the first leg150 and a second aperture 156 in the second leg 152. The method alsoincludes inserting a motor fastener 120 through the fixture base 148,the motor fastener 120 extending proximally from the fixture base 148for connecting to a motor 18. The method also includes forming a screwthread 162 in the through bore 158, the screw thread 162 configured toengage the adjusting rod 40 for moving the motor fastener 120 within aslot 34 of the motor base 12. The method also includes inserting thesecond end portion 176 of the coupling member 146 through the firstaperture 154 of the first leg 150 such that a through bore 158 of thecoupling member 146 is aligned with the first and second apertures 154,156.

The method also includes fixing the coupling member 146 with at leastone of the first and second legs 150, 152. The method may also includecoupling the motor mounting fixture 116 to a motor base 12 configured tosupport a motor 18 thereon. The motor base 12 includes at least oneelongate slot 34 and at least one threaded adjusting rod 40 extendingproximate at least one elongate slot 34 for adjusting a position of themotor 18 thereon. The motor mounting fixture 116 cooperates with atleast one elongate slot 34 for securing the motor 18 to the motor base12.

An exemplary embodiment of the motor mounting assembly 10 includes twoof the same or different motor mounting fixtures 16, 116. For example,two motor mounting fixtures 16 or two motor mounting fixtures 116 may beused. As such, the manufacture and assembly of the motor mountingfixture 16, 116 to the motor base 12 is repeated as described above forthe second motor mounting fixture 16, 116. However, it will beappreciated that other motor bases may include more or less elongateslots 34, 36 for use with more or less of the motor mounting fixtures16, 116, respectively. As such, the invention described herein is notintended to be limited to an exemplary motor base 12 having only twoslots 34, 36 for use with two motor mounting fixtures 16, 116.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description ofone or more embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have beendescribed in considerable detail, they are not intended to restrict orin any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail.Various features of the motor mounting assembly 10 shown and describedherein may be used alone or in any combination. Additional advantagesand modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Theinvention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to thespecific details, representative apparatus and method and illustrativeexamples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be from suchdetails without departing from the scope or spirit of the generalinventive concept.

What is claimed is:
 1. A motor mounting assembly, comprising: a motorbase for supporting a motor thereon, the motor base including at leastone elongate slot and at least one threaded adjusting rod extendingproximate the at least one elongate slot for adjusting a position of themotor thereon; and a motor mounting fixture cooperating with the atleast one elongate slot for securing the motor to the motor base, themotor mounting fixture comprising: a fixture body having a fixture baseand first and second spaced apart legs extending distally from thefixture base, a first aperture through the first leg and a secondaperture through the second leg, a motor fastener projecting proximallyfrom the fixture base, the motor fastener received in the at least oneelongate slot for securing the motor to the motor base, and a couplingmember extending through at least the first aperture of the first legand fixed to at least one of the first and second legs, the couplingmember having a through bore that includes screw threads that arethreadably engageable with the adjusting rod such that the fixture bodymoves along the elongate slot of the motor base when the adjusting rodis rotated.
 2. The motor mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein thecoupling member is formed as a single unitary component that extendscompletely through the first aperture of the first leg.
 3. The motormounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the coupling member includes firstand second end portions, such that the first end portion extends outsideof the first leg and the second end portion abuts the second leg.
 4. Themotor mounting assembly of claim 3, wherein at least the first endportion of the coupling member is rigidly joined to an outer surface ofthe second leg using at least one weld, or the second end portion of thecoupling member is rigidly joined to an inner surface of the second legusing at least one weld.
 5. The motor mounting assembly of claim 1,wherein the first aperture and the coupling member have complementaryshapes, thereby preventing relative rotation between the first apertureand the coupling member.
 6. The motor mounting assembly of claim 5,wherein the first aperture and the coupling member have hexagonal shapespreventing relative rotation between the first aperture and the couplingmember.
 7. The motor mounting assembly of claim 1: wherein the firstaperture has a hexagonal shape and the second aperture has a circularshape.
 8. The motor mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the firstaperture has a first area and the second aperture has a secondcross-sectional area that is smaller than the first area.
 9. The motormounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the through bore of the couplingmember has a length of at least two inches for threadably engaging theadjusting rod.
 10. The motor mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein thefixture base and the first and second legs of the fixture body generallydefine a U-shape.
 11. The motor mounting assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising: a third aperture in the fixture base; wherein the motorfastener is a bolt having a head and a threaded length extending throughthe third aperture, and wherein the coupling member is offset from thefixture base to define a gap therebetween and the head of the bolt iscaptured within the gap between the coupling member and the fixturebase.
 12. A motor mounting fixture for use with a motor base, the motorbase having a rotatable fastener for adjusting a position of a motoralong an elongate slot, the motor mounting fixture comprising: a fixturebody having a fixture base and first and second spaced apart legs, thefirst and second legs extending distally from the fixture base, whereinthe fixture body is configured to move along the elongate slot; a firstaperture through the first leg and a second aperture through the secondleg; a motor fastener projecting proximally from the fixture base andconfigured to engage the elongate slot when coupled with the motor basesuch that the fixture body slidingly moves along the elongate slot; anda coupling member extending at least through the first aperture of thefirst leg and fixed to at least one of the first and second legs, thecoupling member having a through bore that includes screw threads. 13.The motor mounting assembly of claim 12, wherein the coupling member isformed as a single unitary component that extends completely through thefirst aperture of the first leg.
 14. The motor mounting assembly ofclaim 12, wherein the coupling member includes first and second endportions, such that the first end portion extends outside the first legand the second end portion abuts the second leg.
 15. The motor mountingassembly of claim 14, wherein at least one of the first end portion ofthe coupling member is rigidly joined to an outer surface of the secondleg using at least one weld, or the second end portion of the couplingmember is rigidly joined to an inner surface of the second leg using atleast one weld.
 16. The motor mounting assembly of claim 15, wherein thefirst aperture and the coupling member have complementary shapes,thereby preventing relative rotation between the first aperture and thecoupling member.
 17. The motor mounting assembly of claim 12, whereinthe first aperture has a first area and the second aperture has a secondarea that is smaller than the first area.
 18. A method of manufacturinga motor mounting fixture for use with a motor base, the motor baseincluding a threaded adjusting rod for moving the motor mounting fixturerelative to the motor base, the method comprising: fabricating a fixturebody having a fixture base and first and second oppositely disposedlegs, the first and second legs projecting distally from the fixturebase; forming a first aperture in the first leg and a second aperture inthe second leg; inserting a portion of a motor fastener through thefixture base, the motor fastener extending proximally from the fixturebase for connecting to a motor; forming a screw thread in a through boreof a coupling member having first and second end portions, the screwthread configured to engage the adjusting rod for moving the motorfastener within a slot of the motor base; inserting one of the first andsecond end portions of the coupling member through the first aperture ofthe first leg such that the through bore of the coupling member isaligned with the first and second apertures; and fixing the couplingmember with at least one of the first and second legs.
 19. The method ofclaim 18, wherein fixing the coupling member further comprises: rigidlyjoining the first end portion of the coupling member to an outer surfaceof the first leg using at least one weld; and rigidly joining the secondend portion of the coupling member to an inner surface of the second legusing at least one weld.
 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:coupling the motor mounting fixture to a motor base configured tosupport a motor thereon, the motor base including at least one elongateslot and at least one threaded adjusting rod extending proximate the atleast one elongate slot for adjusting a position of the motor thereon,the motor mounting fixture cooperating with the at least one elongateslot for securing the motor to the motor base.